SJC Holds First Lecture On Eco-Tourism

Contributed by St. Joseph's College.

As part of its new Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Management Speakers Series, St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue (SJC) welcomed two distinguished speakers to its Long Island Campus on Tuesday, March 12. Approximately 125 people attended the first of the two-part series entitled, “Common Issues, Unique Solutions: Rebuilding and Protecting Long Island’s Natural Assets and Communities.”

“The mission of the Institute is to provide a leading voice in the discussion of responsible hospitality as a critical component to running a successful enterprise, whether public or private, profit or non-profit,” said Dr. Christopher Frost, SJC’s Long Island Campus academic dean for the School of Arts and Sciences. “By way of the Institute, we seek to partner with our surrounding businesses, organizations and communities to provide education, research and technical and cultural support to help promote economic and cultural development, ecological conservation, and refined standards for hospitality.”

The lecture, “Disaster Resistance and Resilience: Why Neighborhood Parks Matter,” featured Andrew Mowen, Ph.D., associate professor and professor-in-charge of the Honors Program in the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Management at Penn State University and Ariane Rung, Ph.D., associate professor of the Epidemiology Program at LSUHSC School of Public Health.

“Park settings and attractions draw tourists and spending,” said Dr. Mowen. “New York State parks bring 2,356 jobs to Long Island, $250 million in economic output and $70 million in employment income.”

The second lecture, “Disaster Revelations: Losses, Gains and Rebuilding Efforts for a New Future,” will feature Daniel Wolff, author of The Fight For Home: How (Parts of) New Orleans Came Back on Wednesday, April 10. A viewing of Wolff’s documentary film I'm Carolyn Parker (directed by Oscar-winner Jonathan Demme) will precede his talk at 3 p.m.; a book signing will follow the presentation.

“In the face of Superstorm Sandy, we were all reminded of how intricately connected we are to our physical place, and of how urgent is the need to steward our natural resources,” said Dr. Frost. “Tonight is only the first conversation in what I hope will become a sustained conversation across Island … and beyond.”

The Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Management Speakers Series is free and open to the public. For more information or to RSVP, contact Carrie Graf-Behlen at 631.687.2650, email ihtm@sjcny.edu or visit www.sjcny.edu/ihtm.

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